HHS HealthBeat (February 28, 2007)

Working down the risk

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Women who keep physically active might be able to reduce their risk of exercise, even if they take it up after menopause – say, in their 50s. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found a benefit.

James Cerhan looked at data on close to 42,000 women whose regular activities ranged from jogging to walking. His study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, was in Archives of Internal Medicine.

Overall, it looked like exercise accounted for a 9 percent reduction in risk. And Cerhan says the benefit didn't require all that much effort – maybe just moderate activity. His advice:

"Even being physically active in your 50s appears to reduce your risk. So it's probably not too late. If you are thinking of becoming physically active, though, you should always talk to a health professional." (9 seconds)

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: April, 06 2007